T20: Ireland beats WI endorsing their ability for giant-killing acts

JAMAICA: Ireland shocked World Twenty20 champions, West Indies with a victory in first T20 on Thursday played at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, ARY News Reported.

West Indies, who chose to bat, got the reasonable start, Dwayne Smith finding his range with a six in each of Paul Stirling's opening overs.

Later Tim Murtagh removed Smith (14), caught in the deep hitting to leg, , and Gayle then chipped Alex Cusack to long-on for a subdued 18 off 19 balls on his return from injury. That turned out to be the highest score of the innings, as Ireland kept a lid on the hosts for the duration.

The dismissal of two opening batsmen allowed Ireland to grip remaining batting lineup.

Ireland's bowlers displayed a solid effort with the ball and didn’t allow the opponents to take charge over them.

At the halfway stage, West Indies were 58 for 2, going at less than a run a ball, and it got worse when George Dockrell had another big hitter, Marlon Samuels, stumped.

There wasn’t any fruitful contribution from the West Indian batsmen and they ended their inning at 116. Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons scored 16 each while Andre Russell made 15 off 15.

Ireland’s chase started with quick dismissals and was quickly on the back foot in their chase, openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling dismissed inside eight balls, but Ed Joyce and Gary Wilson steadied things, adding 29 in 5.2 overs.

The required rate rose above a run a ball after Wilson, who made 18 off 18 balls was bowled, coming down the pitch and aiming a heave at Samuel Badree, but Joyce (40) played a cool hand, ably assisted by Andrew Poynter(32) in only his fifth T20, they laid the main plank for victory during a 58-run stand.

Ireland achieved the target in 20th over and defeated World Champions by 6 wickets taking lead 1-0 in 2-Match series.